Debates of April 4th, 2001
House of Commons Hansard #43 of the 37th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was public.
Topics
- The Environment
- Children's Miracle Network
- Parkinson's Disease
- Social Assistance
- Prime Minister
- Martin Luther King
- Children's Miracle Network
- Summit Of The Americas
- Charles Daudelin
- Vaisakhi
- Children's Miracle Network
- Health Care
- Health Services
- Fishing Ports
- Softwood Lumber
- New Homes Month
- Prime Minister
- Health
- Prime Minister
- Tax Agreements
- The Economy
- Free Trade Area Of The Americas
- The Environment
- Transportation
- National Defence
- Foreign Affairs
- Tax Agreements
- Canada Post
- Tourism
- Solicitor General
- The Environment
- Privilege
- Government Response To Petitions
- Committees Of The House
- Competition Act
- Criminal Code
- Ukrainian Canadian Restitution Act
- Special Economic Measures Act
- Sex Offender Registry Act
- Petitions
- Questions On The Order Paper
- Motions For Papers
- Message From The Senate
- Employment Insurance Act
- Division No. 67
- Supply
- Division No. 68
- Division No. 69
- Income Tax Act
The Economy
Oral Question Period
2:40 p.m.
Liberal
Jean Chrétien Saint-Maurice, QC
They are very, very low, Mr. Speaker.
The Canadian dollar, since January 2000, has lost 8% in relation to the American dollar. The Australian dollar, 26%; the Euro, 15%; the U.K. pound, 13%; and the yen, 18%. Yes, it is a problem. It is not a weak Canadian dollar; it is a strong American dollar.
The Economy
Oral Question Period
2:40 p.m.
Canadian Alliance
Jason Kenney Calgary Southeast, AB
Mr. Speaker, I see that the Minister of Industry's juvenile attitude is rubbing off on the Prime Minister. The member for Markham said for the Royal Bank two years ago with respect to the currency that Canadians were less prisoners to uncontrollable forces and more masters of their own destiny.
After 25 years of productivity decline, higher taxes and higher debt, why is the Prime Minister always satisfied to say that it is not their fault, that it is because the Americans are doing better. Why is he always satisfied to see the Americans get the gold in the economic competition—
The Economy
Oral Question Period
2:40 p.m.
The Speaker
The right hon. Prime Minister.
The Economy
Oral Question Period
2:40 p.m.
Saint-Maurice
Québec
Liberal
Jean Chrétien Prime Minister
Mr. Speaker, with the policy of the government we have created more than 2.1 million jobs since 1993. Unemployment went down from 11.5% to 6.9%. Interest rates went from 11.5% to 6%. The deficit was $42 billion and now we have a surplus of $18 billion
I could go on and on and on. The economic performance of the government is very good, but the level of the loonie on the other side is very low too.
Free Trade Area Of The Americas
Oral Question Period
April 4th, 2001 / 2:45 p.m.
Liberal
Gérard Binet Frontenac—Mégantic, QC
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister for International Trade.
In order to make their mark on the world stage, the CLD of the Asbestos RCM and over six businesses of the region of Asbestos will be participating, in connection with the summit of the Americas, in an Americontact export trade fair on April 3, 4, and 5, 2001 in Quebec City.
Americontact 2001 will bring together business people from the Americas with a special interest in areas of economic activity.
Will the free trade area of the Americas, an integral part of the summit of the Americas, reflect the values, interests and priorities of the SMBs, which are vital to the prosperity of the regions—
Free Trade Area Of The Americas
Oral Question Period
2:45 p.m.
The Speaker
The hon. Minister for International Trade.
Free Trade Area Of The Americas
Oral Question Period
2:45 p.m.
Papineau—Saint-Denis
Québec
Liberal
Pierre Pettigrew Minister for International Trade
Mr. Speaker, yesterday evening, in fact, I took part in the opening of Americontact in Quebec City and I consider it an excellent initiative.
Over 70% of Canadian exporters are small and medium size businesses. Some 94% of the products from the countries of Central and South America already enter Canada duty free. The reverse is true for Canadians exports to the countries of Central and South America.
The FTAA is intended to remedy this situation and give our business people better access to the markets of the Americas.
The Environment
Oral Question Period
2:45 p.m.
NDP
Joe Comartin Windsor—St. Clair, ON
Mr. Speaker, the government's response to the U.S. decision not to ratify the Kyoto agreement has been vague and inconsistent to say the least.
Last week the Minister of the Environment chose to criticize the European Union instead of the U.S. Last Friday and this Monday the Minister of Natural Resources refused to answer a simple question on whether or not they would ratify. Yesterday the Prime Minister indicated that he intends to respect our agreement on Kyoto. He is quoted as saying that.
Will the Prime Minister, once and for all, commit to the House, to all Canadians and to the international community that Canada will ratify the Kyoto protocol as scheduled in 2002?
The Environment
Oral Question Period
2:45 p.m.
Saint-Maurice
Québec
Liberal
Jean Chrétien Prime Minister
Mr. Speaker, there is no such schedule. The government, the Minister of the Environment and I are committed to implement the Kyoto agreement, but we would like to have two amendments that are extremely important for Canada.
The sink is extremely important for Canada. Because we have a lot of land we could create a situation where a lot of CO2 could be absorbed if we had a good system of trees or plants in Canada. Plus we want to have credit because we are exporting a lot of resources to the United States, such as natural gas and electricity that does not cause any—
The Environment
Oral Question Period
2:45 p.m.
The Speaker
The hon. member for Vancouver East.
Transportation
Oral Question Period
2:45 p.m.
NDP
Libby Davies Vancouver East, BC
Mr. Speaker, once again the Prime Minister is providing Canadians with hollow assurances. In Vancouver striking transit workers and transit riders know that the government takes out over $350 million in gas taxes from the lower mainland but despite election promises refuses to put a dime back into public transit.
Why will the government not put its money where its mouth is, ratify the Kyoto agreement and provide funding for very important public transit in the lower mainland and the rest of Canada? Why will it not do that?
Transportation
Oral Question Period
2:45 p.m.
Victoria
B.C.
Liberal
David Anderson Minister of the Environment
Mr. Speaker, the position of the government was made clear moments ago by the Prime Minister. Perhaps the hon. member was not listening.
The fact is we want the Kyoto agreement to be put into effect. We certainly want to make sure that we have sinks included because there are great opportunities for reducing greenhouse gasses through sinks and sinks are part of the Kyoto agreement.
With respect to transit in the lower mainland, we certainly hope the strike ends soon, but that is not a responsibility of the government to negotiate. I trust the NDP government of the province of British Columbia and the municipal authorities will get on with the job.
National Defence
Oral Question Period
2:45 p.m.
Progressive Conservative
Elsie Wayne Saint John, NB
Mr. Speaker, when speaking of his new employee, the former Eurocopter lobbyist David Miller, the Prime Minister stated in the House yesterday:
When the bids are ready, I will demand of Mr. Miller that he not participate in any discussions.
Is the Prime Minister saying that Mr. Miller will be allowed to participate in Sea King replacement discussions that occur before the bids are ready?
National Defence
Oral Question Period
2:50 p.m.
Saint-Maurice
Québec
Liberal
Jean Chrétien Prime Minister
No, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Miller started work on Monday. He is a man who has worked on the Hill for many years. He will respect all the conditions of conflict of interest.
He has not been and will not be involved in the file because it is not part of his responsibilities. He has not been involved since Monday and will not be involved in the future.
I am very happy that a competent person like him from western Canada has decided to join my staff.
National Defence
Oral Question Period
2:50 p.m.
Progressive Conservative
Elsie Wayne Saint John, NB
Mr. Speaker, the maritime helicopter project has already come under heavy fire from the industry and from aerospace stakeholders. The ethics counsellor has stated that he would require that people not become involved in any file on which they had been making representation.
Will the Prime Minister tell the House today that Mr. Miller will not be involved from this day forth with regard to this industry?